https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/cryptocurrency/cryptonator-seized-for-laundering-ransom-payments-stolen-crypto/U.S. and German law enforcement seized the domain of the crypto wallet platform Cryptonator, used by ransomware gangs, darknet marketplaces, and other illicit services, and indicted its operator.
The alleged Cryptonator's operator, Roman Boss, has been charged with money laundering and running an unlicensed money service business operation.
Cryptonator is an online cryptocurrency wallet launched in 2014 that allows users to store crypto and exchange between other cryptocurrencies within their personal wallet.
Blockchain investigation firm TRM reports that Cryptonator failed to implement anti-money laundering controls, enabling anonymous or pseudonymous users to use the service, including for illicit activity.
The Cryptonator project's primary domain at "cryptonator.com" has now been seized, displaying the below notice from "seized-domain.s3-us-gov-east-1.amazonaws.com."
The law enforcement action involves the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, the IRS:CI, the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), and the Attorney General's Office in Frankfurt am Main.
So long, I guess? Cryptonator was my very first wallet when I cashed out some $6 worth of DOGE to there, however I quickly moved on to more secure, non-custodial BTC wallets.
I guess this is pretty damning for anyone trying to host online wallet software.
Anybody creating an online wallet is now treated like an exchange, and thus, a criminal. Something like this happened with Samourai before.
They have been facing a lot of scam accusations before this, I can only think it's because the operator realized that his days were numbered I guess.
edit: Oh, and everyone who still had coins in this custodial wallet has been rug-pulled by the feds.